Cannon barrel built, pictures added

[SigWig]

Hi,

My dad has had it on the back burner to build a cannon. He doesn't have much experience with black power and neither do I. I'm looking for some information to help speed up the build.

First step the barrel.

The local foundry in town has a cannon cast.

Should it be a steel barrel (grade ?) or brass. Thinking steel for heavy loads.

Once its cast we'll have a machinist hone the barrel out. No point in having it rifled eh? That would open up a few questions such as rate of twist and depth between lands and grooves? Also the projectile would no longer be a round cannon ball.

What would be the way to go for making projectiles(cannon balls)?

One method of ignition and the simplest would just be a small hole with a fuse. To me It seems that a percussion cap would be the way to go (pros/cons) or should we be looking at something else?




If the barrel works out I'll start on the wooden carriage. I'll probably have more questions then.




The best way I can think of obtaining a cannon is to build one.

Thanks for your time.

 

[ben hunchak]

I'd use a touch hole and fuse set up at least at first, cast lead round ball would be best, what diameter are you looking at???

 

[unstableryan]

got your wheels turning eh? heh heh...

 

[SigWig]

I haven't seen the cast yet. I think it's 1 1/2" or 2" and 3' long. I'm guessing. This weekend I'll be visiting my dad and bring it up.

 

[#1bcshooter]

If it is 2" you can shoot golf balls (patched) . I made a 2" mortar & that's what I shoot . I also made a 1" on a carriage & I shoot large steel ball bearings from it , ( if you have a HD truck transmission re builder in your area they would be a good source of old bearings . The rear main shaft bearing on a Roadranger are perfect for a 1" bore

 

[tootall]

IIRC, I read somewhere that one of the replica makers bores out the casting then sleeves it with a steel tube, as castings sometimes have voids or hidden cracks in them.
Have you thought of doing that, or are you jsut going to drill the casting and go for it?

 

[TGC]

check out steen cannons in the states

 

[nessy357]

check out steen cannons in the states

X2
Cheers nessy

 

[Pblatzz]

Here's the web site

ww w.steencannons.com/

 

[SigWig]

Humm I like the steel tube idea. Steen does so nice work. Great site.

I can't tell how they fire them?

 

[SigWig]

here is one way of making a firing mechanism

www. brasswithclass. com/images/swivel/swivel-004.jpg

 

[Dmay]

IMO fuse is the way to go. Keeps it a "Primitive Weapon".....soon as you use anything fancy, could be legal issues?...

If you care to PM me your e-mail, I'll send you a little treatise I wrote on building and shooting cannons.

 

[fdegurse]

Isn't it as long as it's a muzzle loader or flintlock or powder pan or fuse it doesn't matter?

no percussion cap and no primers

I don't think that firing mechanism is legal??? Help please cannon dudes!!

 

[mooncoon]

I think that cannons fall into the category of signaling devices and as such are exempt from registration. As long as they are not used as a weapon they would not be considered firearms. Handguns are defined as being designed to be used with one hand and long arms presumably by default are designed to be used with both hands or at least are hand held. Cannons are non of the above since they are designed to sit on the ground when shot.

cheers mooncoon

 

[tootall]

here is a link to a rondezvou event in Heffley Creek north of Kamloops BC
http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=163190&highlight=kamloops+cannon&page=2
Nessy357 introduced me to one of the cannoneers, so I got to pop off a shot!

 

[Shrapnel]

Be carefull!! If your canon casting is made of cast iron, it will be brittle and will not resist heavy charges... It may blow up upon firing, especially if a projectile is used. Cast iron can also be difficult to machine and bore.. I would go with steel.

Check out : h ttp://cracanon.com/public_html/top_menu.htm

They can manufacture canons of every size and are located in Canada!

 

[SandRoad]

Be carefull!! If your canon casting is made of cast iron, it will be brittle and will not resist heavy charges... It may blow up upon firing, especially if a projectile is used. Cast iron can also be difficult to machine and bore.. I would go with steel.

Check out : h ttp://cracanon.com/public_html/top_menu.htm

They can manufacture canons of every size and are located in Canada!

If you are casting with iron, be aware that there are many grades of cast iron. Ductile iron is one of the better grades to cast a cannon with as it is more resistant to shattering.

Modern cast iron watermains are made of ductile iron and are pretty tough.

 

[SigWig]

Thanks for the replies.

I'll be able to get some pictures up next Friday.

It'll be a 1" barrel. My dad is owed a favor so will have it machined out and a steel sleeve put in. Kind of like a Cannon by Steen. I'm not sure if we are going with pipe or what just yet?

I'll go with fuse ignition mainly. I'm a blaster so I have easy access to safety fuse.

 

[SandRoad]

It'll be a 1" barrel. My dad is owed a favor so will have it machined out and a steel sleeve put in. Kind of like a Cannon by Steen. I'm not sure if we are going with pipe or what just yet?

Just a suggestion,

Before you finalize your bore diameter. FIRST, find/figure out what you are going to use for ammo, and then make adjustments to bore diameter to fit.

 

[SigWig]

A good idea.

At the foundry (where they are making my blank) they also make lead fishing cannon balls. If i have an extra length of pipe/barrel they can pour lead into that and once it cools it would shrink a wee bit making it easier to pop out

But as you say I should figure out what size of steel ball bearings I could use/find and make it so they fit.

#1bcshooter said roadranger bearings work great in 1". My uncle is in auto wrecking I'll have to see what he can come up with. Also my dad should have something laying around.